Posted on 01/09/2003 9:47:06 PM PST by Pokey78
Excerpt:
The "Twist." The twist to this strategy is that the Bush Administration also intends for its appearance of weakness to provoke criticism from the political right as well. For example, last week at the Daily Standard, Fred Barnes griped "Somebody tell the Bush White House that Republicans now control the Senate
.Somehow the idea got planted at the White House that a watered-down tax cut, less susceptible to Democratic attacks, would be better politically for the president." It seems to me that this has two important psychological effects. First, seeing the president attacked from the right emboldens the Democrats, making them all the more likely to pounce. Second, when the president actually releases a plan that has plenty of conservative ideas, the right heaves a great sigh of relief, and becomes energized and eager to do battle for Bush. Not surprisingly, in Tuesday's National Review Online Larry Kudlow gushed, "President Bush has surprised everyone with his decision to propose a big-bang economic growth package."
The Bush Administration has used this strategy at least since last year, when it rolled the Democrats on the War Against Iraq. In that instance, the Administration leaked stories that Bush was hesitating about going to war with Iraq. This prompted many on the right to complain; most notably Bill Kristol and Robert Kagan at the Weekly Standard zinged Bush for "Going Wobbly." Sensing an opportunity, the Democrats went on the attack in late summer. Then-Minority Leader Dick Gephardt said the President needed to "make the case to Congress and the people," while Senator Joe Lieberman said Bush must "speak to the American people [and] ask Congress for authorization." They had walked right into it.
Shortly after September 11, Bush made the case in speeches to the American people and in front of the United Nations. He reiterated his support for regime change in Iraq, using force if necessary. He also mollified moderates by giving the United Nations one last chance to deal with Saddam. Support for military action surged to near 70% in most polls. Finally, he asked Congress for a resolution authorizing the use of force. Again, the Democrats were stuck. Either vote against the resolution and alienate moderates, or vote for it and anger their base. The strategy yielded big dividends on election day.
Will the Democrats ever get wise to this? Perhaps. More likely, they will persist in their view that Bush is a dimwit who continues to get lucky. Thus, they will continue to misunderestimate his strategery.
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my General Interest ping list!. . .don't be shy.
Excerpt posted in #63. Great article, imho...
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my President Bush ping list!. . .don't be shy.
McStain's arrogance approaches that of Mrs. Rapist's, and he should not be trusted. Ultimately, McStain will blow him himself up the way he did in the 2000 primaries. He's a pygmy midget compared to President Bush, but still deludes himself into thinking he's man enough to whoop President Bush.
It is early in the game. They have voters to placate too.
I think we should be patient and see how they act in the final minutes of the game. There is a good chance they will still be in the game on our side but wearing slings on the arms that have been twisted nearly off.
He's also playing another angle brilliantly--his use of Colin Powell. I really didn't like his appointment, but now I'm a believer. Powell really is a moderate and willing to speak his mind--Bellefonte couldn't be more wrong. And he has an active voice in the administration. He is also highly respected among democrats, moderates and internationals. But he's also a loyal soldier; after he has his say, he stands behind his commander-in-chief. I believe he helps mollify opponents who knows he will insure their voice will be heard at the WH. Then look at what the President does. Powell "insisted" that he work through the UN, which Pres. Bush did, and in the process, just happened to reveal its enormous weaknesses, in fact its increasing irrelevance. Gotta love the strategery. What President Bush is doing deserves its own appellation. He's developing a new political path, not to mention the New Tone.
Thank goodness for FR I learned here just what a socialist organization AARP is and therefore didn't join.
Love those odds!
The "Twist." The twist to this strategy is that the Bush Administration also intends for its appearance of weakness to provoke criticism from the political right as well. For example, last week at the Daily Standard, Fred Barnes griped "Somebody tell the Bush White House that Republicans now control the Senate
The Dims will never learn.....that's clear......but will the critics from the political right ever catch on?
When the conservative pundits were up in arms because Bush was 'caving on tax relief for the wealthy to appease the left,' I seriously wondered if they were ever going to 'get it' about Bush and how he works.
When the actual tax plan came out, I laughed out loud at his brilliance, but I wasn't surprised in the least.
I said it in 2001, and I'll say it again.......when all is said and done, we will see more movement to the right and achievement of Conservative goals with this President than we have with any other in history.
Look at the bright side...many of them CAN'T read!
That is one lie the RATS floated early on that has backfired on them. Thing is, most of them are too dumb themselves to realize it, and to those who do know it doesn't really matter because they know most of their own constituents are dumb enough to believe whatever the RAT leaders tell them to believe.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.